New voter ID bill not a ‘freeze’ of current law
In 2011, the General Assembly passed a controversial voter ID law over the objections of many civil rights, community, labor and open government groups concerned about its impact on voting rights for the poor, the elderly, racial minorities and other vulnerable groups. In seeking to mitigate the potential harm of this law, a House committee [...]
Bill would let state officials track your phone
Yesterday, the ACLU filed a major federal lawsuit in response to last week’s chilling disclosure that the federal government obtained millions of phone call information records from Verizon as a routine matter. Despite the enormous privacy concerns raised by this unprecedented data-mining collaboration, the General Assembly is poised to pass a bill that would specifically [...]
Justin Katz and the religion of cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance, that uncomfortable feeling one gets when the realization strikes that two or more deeply held beliefs or values are in conflict, will often lead to wild fits of rationalization and self-deception. Hence the emergence of essays defending oxymoronic phrases such as “compassionate conservatism” and “just war.” On their face, these terms are virtually [...]
Is Rhode Island going to start drug testing?
The General Assembly is giving serious consideration to passage of legislation (S-843/H-5696) that would mark a major step backwards in Rhode Island’s longtime efforts to protect privacy rights in the workplace. The bill would subject undefined “highway industry” employees to random and standardless drug testing procedures. For almost 30 years, Rhode Island law has greatly [...]
Legacy of an organizer – Richard Walton and The Red Bandana Fund
A very special event is happening this Sunday, continuing a legacy of community engagement created by the late Richard Walton. The 1st annual Red Bandana Concert is being held at 3pm at Shea High School 485 East Ave in Pawtucket. The purpose is to establish The Red Bandana Fund which will give an annual award [...]
School secrecy bills would stifle public information
The General Assembly is poised to pass a series of very troubling bills that will keep parents, teachers and the public in total darkness when it comes to issues surrounding school safety. The proposed legislation (S-369A, S-801A, H-5941A), supported by the Governor and legislative leaders, would make secret all school committee discussions, and all school [...]
RI Council of Churches applauds Boy Scouts
Rhode Island State Council of Churches released a statement today regarding the Boy Scouts of America’s recent decision to allow openly gay scouts to join and participate in the organization: Response to BSA Statement on Gender of Scouts and Leaders The Rhode Island State Council of Churches applauds the direction taken by the Boy Scouts [...]
Category One Memorial Designation Commission?
Where can I find the Category One Memorial Designation Commission? As far as I can tell, it does not exist, despite legislation passed last year mandating the creation of such an authority. After the Freedom from Religion Foundation challenged the constitutionality of a large Christian cross on public land in Woonsocket, the General Assembly hastily [...]
Ban the Box activists march to State House today
Surely there are some convicted criminals who may not be ready to rejoin the work-a-day world. But just as surely there are many who are. The Ban the Box bill would make it harder for potential employers to confuse the two by doing away with generic questions about criminal records on job applications. Watch this [...]
Jessica Ahlquist featured in PBS show on Constitution
At 9pm on Thursday evening, May 16th, the second episode of Constitution USA with Peter Sagal will premiere on channel 36, Rhode Island’s PBS affiliate. This episode prominently features the Cranston West Prayer Banner case and interviews both Jessica Ahlquist (my niece), the high school student who successfully had the banner removed, and David Bradley, [...]
In defense of my niece Jessica Ahlquist
My niece, Jessica Ahlquist, has received dozens of awards for her brave stance in challenging the constitutionality of a Christian prayer affixed to the wall of her Cranston high school. In the wake of winning her case, the outcome of which was never in doubt given the strong, 50 years of legal precedent, she faced [...]
Keep abortion restrictions out of Rhode Island
The same radical anti-abortion agenda coming out of state legislatures from Arkansas to North Dakota is headed straight for Rhode Island. Today 5 dangerous abortion restriction bills will be heard at the State House that would work to insert politicians between a woman and her doctor – and would bring the same extreme legislation that [...]
Amend RI Constitution: Corporations aren’t people
In 2012, the General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling on leaders in Washington to reverse the effects of the Citizens United vs. FEC Supreme Court decision, which enshrined corporations as people and their spending of money in elections as protected free speech. Rhode Island is one of twelve states to take such action alongside [...]
National report on public housing has a local link
I first encountered this public housing issue over a decade ago while living in Rhode Island, first in prison, then as a member of DARE. When I began inquiring about the precise rules regarding criminal convictions being a barrier to entry, and a cause for eviction, I got only a few vague answers. I even [...]
Rhode Island is for marriage equality
It’s as good as done. Marriage equality will be marriage reality with one more trip through the House, and a swipe of the governor’s pen. Just in time for wedding season! The Rhode Island Senate made history today passing S38 by a 26 to 12 vote, making Rhode Island the tenth state in the union [...]
Big vote for marriage equality is today
For Rhode Island progressives, it’s the most widely-anticipated day of the 2013 legislative session. For anyone who values equal treatment under the law, it’s even bigger than that. Today is the day the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on marriage equality. The House already passed it overwhelmingly, the governor is a big supporter too and the [...]
‘Weekend of Action’ for marriage equality
It’s a hugely important “weekend of action” if we want to win marriage equality for Rhode Island this legislative session. Devin Driscoll of Rhode Islanders United for Marriage has the details: With a vote expected any day, momentum is continuing to build behind marriage equality legislation pending before the General Assembly. Rhode Islanders United for [...]
How the right pushes for exemptions to equality
Marriage equality advocates took lot of hope from April 8th’s front page ProJo article in which Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed anticipated “a full Senate vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage by the end of April.” Good news indeed, but one needs to continue reading for the unpleasant bit. Paiva Weed is concerned [...]
Rhode Island Religious Leaders Stand Up For Love
On Sunday Rev. Geoffrey Black, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, and Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association spoke at a rally at the First Unitarian Church in Providence on Benefit St. Though opponents of marriage equality often cloak their arguments in dogmatic, Bible-inspired rhetoric it is important [...]
Warwick City Council Endorses Marriage Equality
The Warwick City Council last night became the latest to endorse marriage equality. By doing so, the Council joins a very long list that includes mayors, municipalities, churches, religious leaders, the governor, the House of Representatives and a majority of Rhode Islanders. In other words, pretty much the entire state except the Catholic Church and [...]
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